As the 34th Ordinary Arab League Summit opens in Baghdad, a growing diplomatic rift between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cast a shadow over regional discussions, especially on security and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Sudan is represented at the summit by Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber, a senior member of the Sovereign Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Jaber’s attendance comes in place of Sovereign Council Chair Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who opted to stay away amid Sudan’s ongoing war and what Khartoum perceives as a lack of regional solidarity.
Sudanese officials have expressed disappointment that an earlier request for an emergency Arab League summit to address alleged UAE support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — currently engaged in a brutal civil war with Sudan’s national army — was not met with a strong response.
Tensions between Sudan and the UAE escalated in early May when Khartoum formally severed diplomatic ties with Abu Dhabi, labeling the UAE an “aggressor state” and accusing it of supplying military drones and weaponry to the RSF. In response, the UAE declared it does not recognize the legitimacy of the Sudanese authorities in Port Sudan, who issued the severance.
Despite the mounting friction, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki confirmed during a press briefing that no member state had withdrawn from the summit and that the UAE is represented at a high level. He acknowledged, however, that the crisis is “difficult and thorny” and would require extensive diplomatic effort to resolve.
“The matter won’t be settled at this summit, but we hope for progress in the near future,” Zaki stated.
Meanwhile, the Arab League Council of Foreign Ministers adopted a resolution affirming support for Sudan’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity. The resolution emphasized Arab solidarity with Sudan in defending its sovereignty and national institutions, and urged humanitarian and developmental assistance from member states.
In a parallel diplomatic engagement, Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid reiterated Iraq’s support for Sudan during a meeting with African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssef. The talks focused on preserving Sudan’s sovereignty and promoting stability amid ongoing conflict.
The summit agenda also includes key regional issues, such as the Palestinian crisis and efforts to enhance Arab cooperation. However, the Sudan-UAE dispute underscores the deepening divisions within the bloc, as Arab leaders grapple with competing interests and emerging regional alignments.